Judge William E. Skeggs, 79, died at Benevolent Hospital Sunday night at 10:30 o'clock, following an automobile accident in which he was fatally injured, the accident occurring about nine o'clock Sunday night as Judge Skeggs attempted walk across Second Avenue, prominent Decatur business thoroughfare. Raymond Stephenson, Moulton resident, is understood to have been the driver of the car, the right side of which struck the aged jurist, as the latter attempted to cross the street at the Morgan County National Bank corner. Judge Skeggs was removed to the hospital within a few minutes after the accident and was apparently unconscious when he was placed in Brown's ambulance. He recovered consciousness at the hospital. He complained of his back hurting considerably as physicians and attendants took him from a hospital bed and transferred him to the x-ray rooms. X-ray pictures told the story of how dangerously the aged man was injured, both his hips being broken and the pelvic bone being fractured. Members of the family conferred upon learning the seriousness of his condition and determined to remove him to a Memphis hospital.

Judge Skeggs, however, breathed his last at 10:30 o'clock while preparations were being made to make the trip to Memphis. The body was removed to Brown's.

The deceased is survived by one daughter, Mrs. W.E. Crawford, of Decatur; four sons, Colonel John Skeggs, of San Francisco, Cal; Henry Skeggs of Chicago, Ill; Erskine Skeggs of Detroit, Mich; and Capt. Frank B. Skeggs, of Decatur; Henry A Skeggs, a brother, of Decatur, also survives. Four grandchildren survive. Interment will be made in City Cemetery.

Judge Skeggs was a son of Henry and Mary J Hunt Skeggs and was born in Huntsville, April 27, 1852. He was educated at Huntsville Academy and came to Decatur in 1871, teaching school in Somerville and Decatur and being admitted to the bar in 1878 and practiced law at Somerville until 1887, when he opened an office at Decatur. He represented Morgan County in the state legislature in 1880-81 and served as register in Chancery of Morgan County from 1883 until 1887. He also has been a delegate to various state conventions. Judge Skeggs also served this county as probate judge for 20 years, being appointed his first term and being elected for three additional terms.

He was married in November 1879, to Miss Celia E. Bean, of Morgan County, daughter of Major Benjamin F. and Mary J Garner Bean. Mrs. Skeggs preceded him to the grave several years ago. He was also a member of the Masonic fraternity and Knights of Honor.DECATUR DAILY - November 9, 1931~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Celia Ellen Bean and William E Skeggs married November 23, 1879 at Shoal Creek Church.

Judge William E. Skeggs, 79, died at Benevolent Hospital Sunday night at 10:30 o'clock, following an automobile accident in which he was fatally injured, the accident occurring about nine o'clock Sunday night as Judge Skeggs attempted walk across Second Avenue, prominent Decatur business thoroughfare. Raymond Stephenson, Moulton resident, is understood to have been the driver of the car, the right side of which struck the aged jurist, as the latter attempted to cross the street at the Morgan County National Bank corner. Judge Skeggs was removed to the hospital within a few minutes after the accident and was apparently unconscious when he was placed in Brown's ambulance. He recovered consciousness at the hospital. He complained of his back hurting considerably as physicians and attendants took him from a hospital bed and transferred him to the x-ray rooms. X-ray pictures told the story of how dangerously the aged man was injured, both his hips being broken and the pelvic bone being fractured. Members of the family conferred upon learning the seriousness of his condition and determined to remove him to a Memphis hospital.

Judge Skeggs, however, breathed his last at 10:30 o'clock while preparations were being made to make the trip to Memphis. The body was removed to Brown's.

The deceased is survived by one daughter, Mrs. W.E. Crawford, of Decatur; four sons, Colonel John Skeggs, of San Francisco, Cal; Henry Skeggs of Chicago, Ill; Erskine Skeggs of Detroit, Mich; and Capt. Frank B. Skeggs, of Decatur; Henry A Skeggs, a brother, of Decatur, also survives. Four grandchildren survive. Interment will be made in City Cemetery.

Judge Skeggs was a son of Henry and Mary J Hunt Skeggs and was born in Huntsville, April 27, 1852. He was educated at Huntsville Academy and came to Decatur in 1871, teaching school in Somerville and Decatur and being admitted to the bar in 1878 and practiced law at Somerville until 1887, when he opened an office at Decatur. He represented Morgan County in the state legislature in 1880-81 and served as register in Chancery of Morgan County from 1883 until 1887. He also has been a delegate to various state conventions. Judge Skeggs also served this county as probate judge for 20 years, being appointed his first term and being elected for three additional terms.

He was married in November 1879, to Miss Celia E. Bean, of Morgan County, daughter of Major Benjamin F. and Mary J Garner Bean. Mrs. Skeggs preceded him to the grave several years ago. He was also a member of the Masonic fraternity and Knights of Honor.DECATUR DAILY - November 9, 1931~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Celia Ellen Bean and William E Skeggs married November 23, 1879 at Shoal Creek Church.

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